Home Brewer General Information

Home Brewer General Information

MCL 436.2027(9) provides for the sampling and consumption of beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced by one or more Home Brewers at a meeting of Home Brewers, or a club composed primarily of Home Brewers, on the licensed premises of any Micro Brewer, Brewpub, or on-premises licensee, provided the following conditions are met:

• Pursuant to MCL 436.2027(10)(b), a Home Brewer is defined as “an individual who manufactures beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider at his or her dwelling”.
• The sampling or consumption is for the purpose of exhibitions or competitions involving Home Brewers.
• The beer, honey-based beer, or cider is served in portions no larger than 3 ounces.
• Wine or mead is served in portions no larger than 2 ounces.
• There can be no charge for the sampling of the beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer or cider.
• The beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced by the Home Brewer is only consumed by the Home Brewer, the Home Brewer’s family, a club member, a judge, or a guest speaker.
• No beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced by the Home Brewer may be sold to the general public.
• Participants in the samplings must comply with applicable state and federal law and regulatory provisions and rules adopted by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
• The Micro Brewer, Brewpub, or on-premises licensee must enter into a written agreement with the Home Brewer or Home Brewers club which states the following:
  • The date and time the event will be held.
  • The location of the event.
  • And either of the following:
    • A statement that the Micro Brewer, Brewpub, or on-premises licensee acknowledges that it is not in control of an unregulated alcoholic beverage at its establishment and agrees to assume liability.
    • Verification that the home brewers or home brewers club has obtained a bond or liability insurance from a bonding/insurance company for not less than $50,000.00.